safe-t-cut, old but good to go?

[zappalot]

wanted to add to an elderly thread but could not.

 

So here our breaker board, seems there is a test button, but no word about safe-t-cut, guess it is or was an import from somewhere and is 23 years old. If the test button works are we good to go?

 

 

[Crossy]

If it tests ok on the button then you'll be fine.

 

[Forkinhades]

Personally I would not trust the 'test button' alone.

 

Something of that age should be tested properly with the correct meter.

 

I have tested many of these of devices, both in the UK and elsewhere, and have had situations where the test button works, but during test with fault conditions applied, they fail to open.

[KhunBENQ]

On 22/11/2016 at 5:29 PM, zappalot said:

but no word about safe-t-cut

But very clear that is a RCBO as they are usually named.

Cuts out power, ground fault, 30 ms break time.

 

 

No way to get rid of the second (too small) upload

 

EDIT by Crossy, fixed the images :)

[Crossy]

2 hours ago, Forkinhades said:

Personally I would not trust the 'test button' alone.

Something of that age should be tested properly with the correct meter.

I have tested many of these of devices, both in the UK and elsewhere, and have had situations where the test button works, but during test with fault conditions applied, they fail to open.

 

Agree Forky, but how many of us have the correct kit or know a local sparks with same?

[RichCor]

Shouldn't that trip with a simple light-bulb tester Live to Ground?  ...unless you're looking to quasi re-certify the sensitivity is still accurate (to actually save a life).

[Crossy]

4 hours ago, RichCor said:

Shouldn't that trip with a simple light-bulb tester Live to Ground?  ...unless you're looking to quasi re-certify the sensitivity is still accurate (to actually save a life).

 

A 15W (70mA) conventional lamp from live to ground should trip it on the 30mA setting.

 

If you have no ground at the outlets then a large screwdriver in the lawn would do the trick, but keep everyone at a safe distance when doing any of this sort of test.

 

[Crossy]

27 minutes ago, Arjen said:

And tthe other way around, when the test button not works, does that mean for sure the thing is not working?

 

I have seen units where the Test button failed to operate the trip but it functioned just fine with the tester.

 

But it's always safest to assume that if it doesn't trip on the button it's not going to trip when needed, replace!

 

[lopburi3]

Test method used when I had Safe-t-cut first installed in 1978 was if installer survived you were good to go.  Not recommended!

[RichCor]

3 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Test method used...

 

That looks like a joke Crossy would pull, "Here, touch my finger"

[Forkinhades]

14 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

A 15W (70mA) conventional lamp from live to ground should trip it on the 30mA setting.

 

If you have no ground at the outlets then a large screwdriver in the lawn would do the trick, but keep everyone at a safe distance when doing any of this sort of test.

 

This is the best you can do without specialist equipment.